Men's Basketball | 1/5/2012 9:51:00 PM

[Box Score]

BURNABY, B.C. -- The Western Oregon men's basketball team pulled ahead off a final shot attempt from Jordan Freelander with only nine seconds remaining on the clock to win, 74-73, Thursday against Simon Fraser.

Blair Wheadon had 16 points and eight assists. James Gehring added 16 points of his own, while Kolton Nelson contributed 12 points and Brian McGill with 10.

As the game reached the final minute of the contest Long hit a 3-point shot to give the Wolves (12-2, 5-0 GNAC) a one point lead. The Clan then answered back as Justin Brown got fouled and made both free throw attempts giving SFU (5-7, 0-4 GNAC) a one point lead (73-72) with 41 seconds remaining.

The Wolves did not give up, just as they have not given up at any moment thus far in the season. After an offensive rebound and with the ball out of bounds on the baseline and 14 seconds left, the ball was inbounded to Kolton Nelson on the right block, the inbounder Wheadon then got the ball and circled around to the top to the key and passed over on the left to Freelaner. Freelander took the ball left-handed to the hoop and avoided the charge while the ball circled around the basket before falling in for the layup and the one-point WOU lead. The bucket was Freelander's only made shot of the game after entering the final possession 0-of-5.

Simon Fraser's Connor Lewis would have a good look at a 3-pointer with time expiring but it came up just short giving WOU a perfect 6-0 record this season in games decided by three points or less or in overtime.

The first half was no different as both teams remained neck-to-neck, but he Wolves found themselves going into the locker room with a one point lead at the half. Gehring made both of his free throw shots, cutting the Clans lead to two, and Nelson tied it up with a layup. Gehring would put the Wolves in the lead as he followed Nelson with a layup of his own. Ibrahim Appiah looked to tie it up at the half but was only able to make one of his two free throw attempts.

Appiah had a double-double for the Clan with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Western Oregon will now prepare for its showdown against fellow unbeaten GNAC opponent Western Washington (13-2, 4-0 GNAC) on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in Bellingham. WOU currently leads the GNAC by a half-game in the standings.